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The Barbara Roberts Human Services Building in Salem houses the central offices of the Department of Human Services. (Oregon State Archives Photo)
Present Duties
The Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) is the state’s health and human services agency. It is the largest department in state government, employing about 10,500 people and operating with a $14 billion budget during 2009–2011. More than 80 percent of that budget goes directly to clients and local community partners to provide services to one million Oregonians each year. The department’s mission is to make it possible for people to lead lives that are “independent, healthy and safe.” DHS accomplishes this through the following key strategies.
Protection: DHS protects vulnerable Oregonians from abuse and neglect through child-protective services, programs for seniors and individuals with disabilities, and treatment for individuals with addictions and mental health issues. The department also protects the public with health programs including water-quality monitoring, restaurant inspections and disease outbreak monitoring.
Prevention: DHS coordinates a statewide network of services such as hotlines and counseling centers to help individuals deal with emerging mental and physical health issues. The department also provides vaccinations and dental sealants for children, nutrition assistance for mothers and infants, and counseling for at-risk families.
Health care: DHS helps low-income Oregonians obtain needed health care through the Oregon Health Plan and other Medicaid-funded programs, school-based health centers, mental health and addiction treatment programs, and state-operated psychiatric treatment facilities.
Self-sufficiency: DHS helps stabilize families through emergency assistance, and also provides job training programs and helps low-income parents pay for day-care so they can remain employed.
Independence: DHS helps seniors and people with disabilities live as independently as possible through in-home services, state-operated group homes, vocational rehabilitation services and supported employment programs.
Agency Subdivisions
Information about this agency's divisions, offices, programs, etc.
Contact Information
Mailing Address: 500 Summer St. NE, E15, Salem 97301-1097
Telephone: 503-945-5944; TTY: 503-947-6214
Fax: 503-378-2897
General E-mail: dhs.info@state.or.us
Contact: Erinn Kelley-Siel, Acting Director
Administrative Rules Coordinator E-mail: Jennifer Bittel
Records Officer E-mail: Sue Nelson
Staff Directory from Oregon.gov
Location Map: by Yahoo! Maps
Legal and Legislative Information
Statutory Authority: ORS 409.010
Human Services Budget Analysis (pdf) - by Legislative Fiscal Office
Audit Reports - select agency from menu
Records, Publications and General Information
Records Retention Schedule - a list of the public records kept at the agency
State Library Publications - a link to the Oregon State Library Catalog